The Nature Conservancy manages this important site that anchors the
Columbia Gorge scenic area's east end. Truly a magnificent example of the
region's scenic value, part of it was almost turned into a housing
development. Thanks to the efforts of Barbara Robinson, a well-known
conservationist, it is now protected. Today it is one of the most popular spots for those traveling
the old scenic highway route from Mosier to Rowena on the Oregon side of the
gorge.

The predominant flowers in the foreground are yellow balsamroot (Balsamorhiza
deltoidea) and purple lupine (Lupinus latifolius) There's also a bicolored cluster lily and a
few other very small low-growing flowers that wildflower hobbyists collectively
call "belly plants" because they are best appreciated by lying on the
ground. In 2004 when I made this photograph, the peak blooms of balsamroot
and lupine were nicely synchronized. It was also a great help to have a
rare calm day since the location is famous for windy conditions. The
Columbia River seldom shows its peaceful side by reflecting the landscape around
it. But on that morning the river in the distance shone like
glass, lending an air of rarity to the scene.

Some of the Gorge's geologic diversity is also evident in the scene. In
the middle ground are basalt cliffs, the result of catastrophic flows of molten
rock that covered much of Oregon around the middle Miocene age that erupted
between about 17 and 15 million years ago. Vernal pools dot the
plateau above the cliffs, which is notably devoid of balsamroot flowers due to
grazing activity from cattle years ago. An experiment has been conducted
to reestablish the flowers, but it takes balsamroot seven to ten years to grow
to maturity. Other areas of the preserve are the home of the endangered Hood
River Milkvetch. Soils in this area are thin and gravelly, the result
of being scoured by the Missoula floods. During ice ages, advancing
glaciers would form a dam creating an ancient lake in what is now
Montana. Periodically as the climate warmed, it
melted and released cataclysmic amounts of water, mud, and rocks over much of
Washington and Oregon. According to estimates, the lake contained
more water than Lakes Erie and Ontario combined.

Tom McCall Preserve is named for Oregon's visionary governor. A
centrist Republican serving from 1967-1975, he was instrumental in protecting
the state's natural areas by strengthening protection of Oregon's
coastline. He also established state oversight of local land-use planning
to control runaway development and protect farmland, and created the nation's
first mandatory bottle deposit law. My, how our politicians – and the public that puts them in office
– have changed since those days.